MacCentral reported that TiVo is making the Home Media Option a standard feature on TiVo Series 2 DVRs. Previously, the Home Media Option had cost an additional $99 per DVR. The re-christened Home Media Feature allow TiVo users to take advantage of the following services:
- media server capability for browsing photos and playing music stored elsewhere on a local area network,
- stored program sharing for playing of programs recorded on any other TiVo Series 2 DVR in the house,
- on-line scheduling to allow customers to alter the To Do List on their TiVos by accessing the TiVo.com website.
TiVo has been under increasing competition from cable providers who are rolling out their own DVR units that have recording functionality, but smaller feature sets compared to TiVo Series 2. By making the Home Media Feature free, TiVo is demonstrating its superior value to the cable company-provided DVRs, which are available in some areas of the USA. TiVo is smart to do this because cable companies often provide the DVRs at no charge, but they often charge a similar monthly service fee to that of TiVo.